IN THIS ISSUE Carbondale’s next big splash PAGE 2
A youth newspaper powered by The Sopris Sun
Balancing fear and the American Dream PAGE 4
Volume 1, Number 2 | November 27 - December 24, 2025
Reflecting on cultural respect with local educators and spiritual leaders PAGE 5
Teens take on public discourse ARTHUR CHERITH Sopris Stars Correspondent For 75 years, the Aspen Institute has made space to encourage thoughtful discussions, develop leadership skills and navigate complex problems. What began as a post World War II effort to rebuild civil discourse has evolved into a well organized model for dialogue. Today, the institute extends the same to younger generations through increasingly accessible youth programs that are deeply rooted in the original structure, including the Teen Socrates and Hurst Great Ideas seminars. The Teen Socrates Seminars are intended for young people ages 15 to 17, and the Hurst Great Ideas Seminars are meant for eighth graders. More than 20 years ago, the Aspen Institute recognized that while its adult seminars draw leaders from across the world, young people had far less access to such immersive thought opportunities. Katie Carlson, the institute’s Aspen Community Programs manager, explained the lasting impact of the expansion. “I was really inspired by the community work we do, because Aspen Institute can have high barriers to entry
sometimes,” she said. “In this program we work on making sure everything is affordable. We do a summer lecture series that is free in the summer and we have great donors that help fund programs.” The push to open its doors wider was due to similar reasons that motivated its founding. Carlson explained that, after World War II, Aspen Institute's founders believed that the conflict had exposed a serious failure in communication. “Part of the problem is that we don't talk to each other [or] have forums for civil dialogue,” she said. “We don't have people from both sides coming together and having these meaningful discussions.” The youth programs are a direct response to that growing concern; created to offer students structured experiences in dialogue, reflection and problem solving. The Teen Socrates and Hurst Great Ideas seminars are modeled after the institute’s Executive Seminar that has brought global leaders together for decades. “We thought, ‘If they can do it, why can't teenagers?’” Carlson said.
Socrates, by Arthur Cherith
From Nov. 7 through 9, of intense discussion. Partic- real-world problems might be the intention was maniipants read texts on philosolved — while also considfested at the Rifle Library. sophical dilemmas, human ering the constraints that do There, the Teen Socrates rights questions, historical exist in these conflicts — and Seminar brought together conflicts and interpersonal how personal values shape students from all over the values. After each reading, understandings of justice, colRoaring Fork and Colorado students engaged in guided laboration and responsibility. River valleys for three days conversations about how continued on page 8 THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | November 27-December 3, 2025 13